Companion Animals

Lyme Disease in Dogs: Welfare and Prevention

Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by ticks, causes significant welfare impacts in dogs including joint pain, fever, and kidney disease.

Key Facts

Lyme disease is transmitted by the deer tick (Ixodes species) and requires 24-48 hours of tick attachment for transmission
Clinical signs include shifting leg lameness, lethargy, fever, and reduced appetite
Lyme nephritis — a rare but serious complication — can cause fatal kidney failure
Vaccines are available for Lyme disease in dogs in endemic regions

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with Lyme disease experience considerable pain and discomfort from joint inflammation. Early antibiotic treatment (doxycycline) is highly effective and resolves most clinical signs within days. Welfare-positive tick prevention involves monthly preventative products and daily tick checks after walks in woodland or grassland. Dogs with chronic Lyme sequelae require long-term pain management and quality of life assessment.

What You Can Do

Use year-round tick prevention products recommended by your veterinarian
Check dogs thoroughly for ticks after walks in high-risk habitats and remove promptly with a tick hook
Vaccinate dogs against Lyme disease if living in or travelling to endemic regions
Seek veterinary attention promptly if your dog shows shifting lameness or unexplained fever